Orlando Defeats Allen, Martinson Comments and More

ALLEN, TX – Sometimes a team feels fortunate to come away with one point and that was the case last night as the Allen Americans lost to the Orlando Solar Bears 4-3 in a shootout before a crowd of 4508 at the Amway Center. It was the first meeting ever between these teams and the Solar Bears out worked and out played the Americans for most of the game.

– Allen had a great start against the Everblades on Wednesday night getting out to an early 3-0 lead. It was just the opposite against the Solar Bears last night as Allen gave up two first period goals while being out shot 15-4. The Americans were out shot 43-19 in regulation time though they did have a 6-3 shot advantage in the overtime period.

– It was quite a night for Greger Hanson in his second game since returning from San Diego (AHL). He had two goals in the second period to lead the Allen comeback. Hanson had 11 shots on goal and was on the ice for all six goals scored in regulation. Unfortunately three of the six were scored by Orlando. Greger was also successful in his shootout attempt. He was selected as the #2 star of the game.

– Chad Costello assisted on all three Allen goals. The goal scorers were Hanson (21 & 22) and Eric Roy (9). Check out the highlight package above. All of the goals from regulation and the shootout are included along with a save that Jamie Murray made you will want to watch a few times using the rewind button. You will recognize the move Hanson made on his shootout goal as that has become his go to move. Also note the passes Costello makes on the two power play goals. The color guy from Orlando says Chad lost the puck on the Roy goal but I think it was a pass. You can judge for yourself. You will hear the Orlando color commentator several times on the highlights. You may recognized the voice as Trevor Ludwig who is out for the season with a leg injury. I always thought Trevor did a great job in the booth when he was in Allen and spent time with Tommy Daniels.

STEVE MARTINSON’S POST GAME COMMENTS

– The truth is we got outplayed in the first two periods. Orlando won most of the puck battles.

– Chad Costello made some big plays for us tonight especially on those two power play goals.

– We should be a lot fresher on Sunday. We will practice in the morning but the only time we could get ice was 8:45 am. We do not have ice on Saturday.

– It is nice to have everyone back with Moore and Marchment arriving in Orlando just a couple of hours before game time. We should have everyone available for the game on Sunday. It would be nice to have more speed in the lineup against Orlando so we will see how things play out.

– We have four or five players who are not in good enough shape and haven’t been able to keep up with the pace of the game the last two nights.

OTHER COMMENTS

– With three assists in the game Chad Costello extended his lead in the ECHL scoring race to 20 points. Chad has 76 points (23 goals 53 assists) and his 53 assists are more than anyone else in the league has total points with the exception of Peter Sivak who has 56 points.

– Eric Roy’s goal was his ninth of the season and moves him into third place in the ECHL for goals scored by a defenseman.

– One of Greger Hanson’s goals was on the power play which gives him eight power play goals this season good for second in the ECHL. First place is owned by Spencer Asuchak who has nine power play goals.

– With the shootout loss last night Allen picked up one point and extended their Mountain Division lead to three points. Here are the current standing with games played in parentheses. Allen is idle the next two nights while the three teams chasing them play both nights. Colorado is at home against Wichita and Idaho is at Alaska.

– Allen’s record is now 5-2 in overtimes and 1-2 in shootouts. The Americans are 4-7 in shootout attempts. Hanson is 3-3, Costello 0-1, Steffes 0-1, Moore 0-1 and Matt Willows was 1-1. Riley Gill was in goal for the lone shootout win an didn’t allow a goal (0-2). Jamie Murray has been in goal for the two shootout losses and has struggled. He has allowed five goals in five attempts including 3-3 last night.

DID YOU KNOW: The Orlando Solar Bears joined the ECHL in 2012-13. They revived the name of the original Orlando Solar Bears who played in the International Hockey League (IHL) from 1995-2001. The Solar Bears won the last IHL championship, claiming the Turner Cup in 2001. The ECHL Solar Bears have made the Kelly Cup playoffs twice in their first four years losing in the first round both times.